Psalms 6 Commentary

“My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?”

Troubled, with grief. (Worthington) — I am sinking under my illness: my virtue is lost. (Calmet) — The whole human race is this sick man, requiring the aid of Jesus Christ. (St. Augustine) — The ineffable name Jehova, (Haydock) is repeated thrice, to insinuate that salvation must come from the Blessed Trinity. (Berthier, ver. 9) — Under the allegory of sickness, the ravages of sin appear. (Menochius)

“Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.”

Long? Wilt thou leave me in distress? (Worthington) — He breaks off abruptly to express his sorrow, See Isaias vi. 11; Jeremias xiii. 26. (Berthier) — True converts are often tried a long time, that they may conceive how God will treat those who never return to him, (St. Augustine; Eusebius) and that they may beware of a relapse. (Calmet)

“For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?”

Turn. God never abandons us first, Jeremias ii. 27. (Berthier) — We drive him away by sin. (St. Athanasius) — Sake. I cannot take one step without thee. (Calmet) — Treat me not as my sins deserve; but mercifully restore me to favour. (Worthington)

“I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. all: or, every night”

Hell. The hardened sinner will not praise thee, (St. Augustine) much less will the damned, who are confirmed in evil. (Berthier) — Even those who are in “the grave,” though just, cannot sound forth thy praises; and consequently, if I be cut off, the number of thy adorers will be diminished. This motive is often urged, as if God was forgotten in the rest of the world, Psalm xxix. 10., and Isaias xxxviii. 18. (Calmet) — This life is the time for repentance. After death there is no conversion, but eternal blasphemies in hell. I will strive to prevent this misery, by continuing to do penance, till I am watered with thy grace. (Worthington)

“Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.”

Bed. St. Jerome, “I will make my bed swim” (Haydock) with tears, or sweat. (Berthier) — Here we behold the effects of true repentance, which will not suffer the sinner to enjoy any repose, (Calmet) when he reflects on the pains of hell, and the perfections of God. (Haydock) — “O sweet affliction, which extinguishes the fire of hell, and restores man to the friendship of his God.” (St. Chrysostom)

“Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.”

Indignation of God (Theodoret) or of my enemies. I am also indignant when I behold my foes exulting in my ruin. (Calmet) — I have. Hebrew, “It,” the eye. (Berthier) — The eye is naturally injured by excessive grief. Yet David could not think of his sins, without floods of tears. (Haydock)

“The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.”

Iniquity, who have fostered my passions, (Berthier) or sought my ruin. I now perceive who were my true friends. (Calmet) — Lord. He is twice mentioned in the next verse, in honour of the blessed Trinity, as a German commentator remarks, after the ancient interpreters (Berthier) and Fathers. They have constantly had an eye to these grand truths, which are nevertheless proved by clearer passages of Scripture. (Haydock) — David confides in God, as every true penitent may do, for protection. (Worthington) — He had also been assured of pardon by Nathan, the prophet. (Haydock)

Troubled. This is a prophecy, (St. Augustine) or a prayer for their speedy and earnest conversion, (St. Jerome; Calmet) or a threat if they persist. (Worthington) — Speedily. At the last day, the wicked will perceive how short life has been. Tunc sentient peccatores quam non sit longa omnis vita quĉ transit. (St. Augustine)